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ArabicChat Group Crossover: My System Simulates Infinite Anime Worlds — Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Encountering an Assassin
[Strangely enough, Mobius was holding Griseo.]
[Griseo wasn’t crying, either; she was giggling, seemingly overjoyed in the scientist’s arms.]
[After news of this got out…]
[…Mei began looking at you with a strange expression, her gaze lingering for a while, as if silently asking if you were having an affair with Mobius.]
[The others shared a similar look. After all, if there wasn’t something going on between you two, why would Griseo, a child who was normally attached to you, be so affectionate toward Mobius of all people?]
[You felt deeply wronged. Aside from that one time back in your school days when you faked fainting to get into the infirmary and shared a brief, intimate moment with Mobius, you had barely had any close contact at all.]
[However, you knew better than to say anything. Explaining would only make things look more suspicious, so you chose to bear the silent judgment.]
[Soon after, reports began to flood in. Several cities in Northern Europe were being enveloped by raging storms, a clear sign of a Herrscher’s awakening.]
[Without a moment’s hesitation, you, Elysia, Kevin, and the others rushed to the battlefield.]
[On the way, you spotted a young boy clutching a pack of explosives, his face a mask of grim determination as he ran toward the heart of the storm. You intercepted and saved him, learning his name was Kosma.]
[With Elysia providing covering fire, you charged into the epicenter of the storm and had a “heart-to-heart” with the newly manifested Fourth Herrscher.]
[The Great Honkai Eruption was successfully resolved, but several cities had already suffered immense damage in the process.]
[In the aftermath, you led your squad to hunt down the remaining Honkai Beasts, methodically cleaning up the ravaged battlefield.]
[It was during this cleanup that the boy you saved, Kosma, found you again. He looked at you with resolve in his eyes and asked to join your cause.]
[You asked him a few questions, your voice calm and steady amidst the surrounding destruction. One question stood out: “Even if we make the whole world our enemy, do you still want to join us?”]
[Hearing this, Kosma nodded without the slightest hesitation. “I’ll join,” he replied, his voice firm.]
[Elysia, who had been standing nearby, wore a complicated expression as she overheard your words. Later, she approached you privately, her usual bright smile softened with concern.]
[You didn’t give her a direct answer, only stating that the strength of a single region was not enough to fight the Honkai. To truly oppose it, the strength of all humanity had to be gathered as one.]
[Elysia understood the weight behind your cryptic words. She gently hugged you, patting your back in a gesture of quiet support. She promised she would help you achieve that goal.]
[Not long after the Fourth Herrscher incident was resolved, with Elysia’s very useful help, you arranged a meeting with the world-class superstar, Eden.]
[Before the meeting, you crammed, absorbing a vast amount of knowledge on art appreciation and related subjects. You had to admit, your [Heaven Rewards the Diligent] trait was truly a godsend; your learning speed was nothing short of incredible.]
[The meeting was a resounding success. You and Eden talked for hours, finding you got along famously. Even Elysia, watching from the side, couldn’t help but think that if no one interrupted, the two of you might chat for days and nights on end. She even imagined that, given the right opportunity, you might just end up getting married.]
[At that thought, Elysia found herself feeling quite displeased.]
[As your conversation with Eden deepened, you eventually steered it toward the Honkai. It was a reality that had to be faced. You had already reached an agreement with the world’s national authorities; the truth would be made public soon. The impact of the Third and Fourth Herrschers had been far too great, and it was hard to imagine the devastation the Fifth and Sixth might unleash.]
[At first, Eden didn’t believe your claims, thinking you were telling an elaborate joke.]
[In response, you demonstrated the use of Honkai Energy. Elysia did the same, her power manifesting as elegant, crystalline arrows.]
[After witnessing the truth with her own eyes, Eden maintained her calm, radiant smile, but her eyes grew slightly dim. It was the look of someone realizing the era she knew, an era of peace and art, had come to an end.]
[Elysia noticed this subtle shift immediately. Acting as a gentle mediator, she wrapped Eden in a comforting hug while shooting a meaningful look in your direction.]
[At your suggestion, you took Eden on a tour of the Taixu Laboratory.]
[After seeing the research, the technology, and the dedicated people fighting for humanity’s future, the light returned to Eden’s eyes, brighter than before. She expressed her intent not only to invest heavily in Taixu Laboratory but also her desire to join its ranks.]
[Naturally, you gladly accepted. In this war, you had to unite all forces that could be united.]
[also, Eden’s influence as a global icon would play a crucial role in the upcoming plan to unify the world against the Honkai.]
[On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month of that same year, you and Mei were walking together when you were ambushed.]
[It was an assassination attempt, yet you sensed the attacker lacked any real killing intent. It felt more like a demonstration, a way of showing off her strength. You dealt with her easily, disarming her and pinning her to the floor in a matter of seconds.]
[The pink-haired assassin explained her purpose, confessing everything about her employers without coercion. Her goal was simple: she wanted to ensure that she and her younger sister could survive the coming catastrophe.]
[You acknowledged her skills were impressive. The front lines of the Honkai response were currently short-staffed, and her addition would significantly reduce the pressure on everyone.]
[However, she still needed to be observed. You handed this task to Elysia, trusting her judgment completely.]
[You were confident that Elysia would do an excellent job.]
[In the blink of an eye, New Year’s Eve arrived.]
[A special area within the Taixu Laboratory had been set aside for an annual meeting, a grand celebration carefully arranged by Elysia.]
[You had to hand it to her. When it came to managing morale and bringing people together, Elysia was truly a perfect helpmate.]
[She handed you a speech draft, but after a cursory glance, you simply tossed it aside.]
[Instead, you raised your glass—filled with a special oolong tea—and shouted to the assembled crowd, “Cheers!”]
[The atmosphere, already festive, immediately became even more lively.]
[Taking advantage of the slight chaos, you retreated to a quiet corner, grabbed a plate of food, and began to eat in peace.]
[Soon, you heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, you saw the pink-haired assassin, Sakura, now dressed in a stunning blue gown.]
[You were a little surprised to see her at the annual meeting, but you quickly surmised this was likely Elysia’s doing.]
[You trusted Elysia’s vetting process. Besides, in a way, your backgrounds were somewhat similar.]
[Your eyes swept over Sakura, your gaze lingering for just a moment on her long, fair legs, elegantly revealed by the slit in her gown, before you quickly looked away.]
[Lifting your gaze to meet hers, you asked, “What are you doing here? Why don’t you go and get to know the others?”]
[A faint blush touched Sakura’s cheeks. “I already met them a few days ago,” she said softly. “I’m not much of a talker, and banquets like this don’t really suit me. I’m just an assassin, after all.”]
[Just then, a little sprout wearing a cute pink dress and with hair to match rushed over, diving straight into Sakura’s arms.]
[Sakura looked down at the pink-haired little girl and gently tapped her on the head, her eyes, which were usually so sharp and focused, now filled with doting affection.]
[You studied the child. This had to be the younger sister Sakura had mentioned. She looked quite mischievous, the kind of energetic kid who probably wasn’t easy to manage—in other words, a real brat.]
[The little girl, Rin, turned her big, cute eyes toward you and blurted out, “Big Sis, is this the brother-in-law you found for me?”]
[As those words fell, the corner of the bustling hall became eerily silent.]
[Sakura’s fair face instantly turned a shade of bright, furious red. She quickly bowed her head in apology. “I’m so sorry! I’ve been lax in her upbringing.”_]
[Then, with surprising ease, she picked up her sister with one hand, like carrying a disobedient kitten by the scruff of its neck, and walked off in the other direction, leaving you alone in the suddenly very quiet corner.]